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His solicitor Clare Roberts said: "He is not part of a gang culture and doesn't hang around with other youths."

He was unaware that the other boy had a knife and planned to use it. She told the judge: "Really it escalated out of all control. This was entirely out of character."

She pointed out that the offences took place in April and that he had stayed out of bother since then. The boy's family must pay £200 compensation, £100 prosecution costs and £20 government tax.

The judge told him: "This robbery involved a number of people and you involved yourself in them."

Residents said they have been left shocked and worried by the crime in their “quiet” residential street.

Carol Hanley, 60, a local government worker, said: "It is shocking to find out but it does not surprise me. It is the general state of the country."

Glen Brown, 78, a salesman, said: "I am disgusted by it, I did not think it was that kind of area, it is totally out of character.

"I have lived here 50 years and this is the first time I have heard of something like that.”

Harvinder Singh, a 58-year-old taxi driver and dad-of-three, added: "It was worse around here a couple of years ago, someone was dealing drugs in the alley, but it got better. I am worried to hear this has happened again.

“It is very worrying, my children use that alleyway every day so this doesn’t make me feel safe.”